FALL ON SNOW AND ICE, CLIMBING UNROPED, NO HARD HAT

Colorado, Longs Peak

On September 16, Brant Kauth called the dispatch office from Longs Ranger Station and reported that his climbing partner, Harvy Schneider (22) had been involved in a climbing accident on the east face of Long Peak. Kauth indicated that Schneider was in serious condition with head injuries and was not conscious. St. Anthony’s Flight for Life helicopter was put on standby. Rangers Larry Van Slyke and Dan Davis were notified. Davis went to the Longs Peak Ranger Station to interview Schneider’s climbing companion and meet with members of the Rocky Mountain Rescue group, who were responding. It was said that Schneider lost his footing on the Lambslide at the junction of Broadway and the Lambslide and fell 800 feet to his death. (Source: Dan Davis, Rocky Mountain National Park)

Analysis

It is unknown why Schneider fell. Speculation of the cause of the fall ranges from catching a crampon point on just slipping, to the possibility of having been struck by falling rock or ice which caused him to lose his balance. A climbing helmet might very well have saved Schneider’s life, as the only significant trauma was to his head. (Source: Larry Van Slyke, Rocky Mountain National Park)